The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team first appeared in The West Coast Avengers #1 (Sept. 1984), created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall. It was the first spin-off publication for the Avengers.
Following the 1984 limited series, the West Coast Avengers were the focus of an ongoing series published from October 1985 to January 1994. Volume 3 began publication in September 2018 as part of the Fresh Start relaunch but was cancelled after 10 issues. A fourth volume launched in November 2024.
Contents
Publication history
The West Coast Avengers first appeared in a four-issue limited series published from September to December 1984. The series was written by Roger Stern and drawn by Bob Hall and Brett Breeding. This was followed by a 102-issue series of the same name that ran from October 1985 to January 1994. The series was initially written by Steve Englehart and drawn by Al Milgrom and Joe Sinnott. It was the first spin-off series for the Avengers. The series was renamed Avengers West Coast on the cover of issue #47 (Aug. 1989).
In 2018, a new incarnation of the West Coast Avengers appeared in the "Fresh Start" that consists of Hawkeye, Kate Bishop, Gwenpool, America Chavez, Quentin Quire, and Kate's boyfriend Johnny Watts who takes the codename Fuse. Jeff the Land Shark had his first appearance in issue #7 (January 2019). The ongoing series was written by Kelly Thompson and initially drawn by Stefano Caselli. It was cancelled as of issue #10 cover dated June 2019.
In November 2024, Volume 4 began publication with writer Gerry Duggan and artist Danny Kim. In this series, Iron Man and War Machine assemble a new West Coast Avengers roster which includes Spider-Woman, Firestar, Ultron and Blue Bolt.
Fictional team biography
Original run (1984–1994)
The team is founded by the Avenger Hawkeye in response to a suggestion by fellow Avenger, the Vision, who at the time (as team chairman) wished to expand the Avengers' influence. Hawkeye recruits Mockingbird, Wonder Man, Tigra, and Iron Man, with the last actually being Jim Rhodes as opposed to Tony Stark, a fact initially unknown to the team.
The team takes on Hank Pym as a scientific advisor and compound manager. Pym and Moon Knight formally join, while Iron Man is expelled for his actions during the Armor Wars. The "Lost in Space-Time" storyline began in issue #17 (February 1987) when Dominus sent the team back in time. The marriage of Hawkeye and Mockingbird is placed in jeopardy when Mockingbird allows the Phantom Rider to die in a fall for deceiving and raping her.
After a trip to Hungary to investigate a report on Wasp, Scarlet Witch, and Vision assist the team. Mockingbird, Tigram and Moon Knight leave the team together as a new short-lived team called the Ex-WACOs over the Avengers' rule against killing in regards to Mockingbird's encounter with Phantom Rider. The Vision and the Scarlet Witch join the team as to not leave it short handed. Vision is abducted and dismantled by the government; Pym rebuilds Vision, but with a chalk-white complexion. Wonder Man refuses to allow his brain patterns to be used again to provide a matrix for Vision's emotions, leading Vision emotionless. U.S. Agent is assigned to the team as a watchdog by the government to monitor the team's activities.
A group of superhumans decide to mimic the Avengers and become the Great Lakes Avengers, while the original Human Torch returns from his own apparent demise. This casts doubt on the identity of Vision, who was previously believed to have been created from the Human Torch's body. Vision and Scarlet Witch's children, conceived via Scarlet Witch's hex powers, are revealed to be fragments of the soul of Mephisto. The twins are absorbed back into Mephisto, which temporarily drives the Scarlet Witch insane. Although she eventually recovers, Scarlet Witch and the Vision separate, each operating on a different Avengers team.
Iron Man rejoins, and Quicksilver assists the team when Scarlet Witch aligns herself with their father Magneto. Hank Pym, Wasp, and Quicksilver then leave the team, with Machine Man becoming reservists and Spider-Woman and Living Lightning joining as full-time members. Spider-Man guest-stars in issues #84–86.
Volume 3 (2018 series)
During the Fresh Start relaunch, both Hawkeyes – team founder Clint Barton and his successor Kate Bishop – decide to revive the West Coast Avengers following an attack by land sharks in Santa Monica. Clint and Kate recruit America Chavez and Kate's boyfriend Johnny "Fuse" Watts, who helped in the mission, and are eventually joined by Gwenpool and Quentin Quire. Given their lack of funds, the newly formed team attempts to get financiers by starring in a reality show following their exploits. Gwen adopts a baby land shark which she names Jeff – Barton allowing Jeff to stay as long as he does not bite anyone besides supervillains.
Volume 4 (2024 series)
Iron Man and War Machine later reform the West Coast Avengers as part of a plot to rehabilitate supervillains. With Spider-Woman and ex-criminal Blue Bolt joining the group, they start with Ultron. Firestar later joins the West Coast Avengers in battling the Sovereign Sons. The West Coast Avengers go up against the Gospel of Ultrons, the result of Ultron splitting himself after separating from Hank Pym.
Other versions
An alternate universe iteration of the West Coast Avengers called the West Coast Ultimates appears in the Ultimate Marvel imprint, led by Quake and consisting of Wonder Man, Vision, Black Knight, and Tigra.
Collected editions
In other media
The West Coast Avengers appear in Hawkeye's ending in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, consisting of himself, Mockingbird, War Machine, Tigra, Wonder Man, and Moon Knight, as well as Capcom characters Jin Saotome, June Lin Milliam, Rikuo, Leo and Rei.
Rapper Del the Funky Homosapien released a trilogy of mixtapes called West Coast Avengers, though the track listings are unrelated to the comics' group.